The Knots ClipArt gallery offers 132 illustrations of different types of knots, showing detailed steps on how to handle the rope or thread and tie the knot. Although many of the knots included in this gallery have nautical applications, they are also used in many other fields.

An illustration of a Spanish windlass knot.

Spanish Windlass

An illustration of a Spanish windlass knot.

"Eye-splice. A sort of eye or circle formed by splicing the end of a rope into itself. a, one strand stuck; b, all three strands stuck once; c, all three strands stuck three times (finished splicing)." -Whitney, 1911

Eye Splice in Three Steps

"Eye-splice. A sort of eye or circle formed by splicing the end of a rope into itself. a, one strand…

"In making a short splice the ends of the ropes are unlaid for a short distance and brought together, the strands interlacing (A). Taking any one strand, this is woven into the laid strands of the other rope, working from left to right; the other two stands are similarly woven, but from right to left."—Finley, 1917

Short splice

"In making a short splice the ends of the ropes are unlaid for a short distance and brought together,…

"Sprit-Sail Sheet Knot -- This knot consists of a double wall and double crown made by the two ends, consequently with six strands, with the ends turned down. Used formerly in the clews of sails, now as an excellent stopper, a lashing or shackle being placed at s and a lanyard round the head at l." -Britannica, 1910

Sprit-Sail Sheet Knot

"Sprit-Sail Sheet Knot -- This knot consists of a double wall and double crown made by the two ends,…

"Naut., a contrivance, consisting of two wooden deadeyes and a rope lanyard, for quickly securing any standing rigging shot away in action." -Whitney, 1911

Fighting Stopper

"Naut., a contrivance, consisting of two wooden deadeyes and a rope lanyard, for quickly securing any…

"Studding-sail halyard bend -- Similar to the [Fisherman's Bend], except that the end is tucked under the first round turn; this is more snug. A magnus hitch has two round turns and one on the other side of the standing part with the end through the bight."

Studding-sail Halyard Bend

"Studding-sail halyard bend -- Similar to the [Fisherman's Bend], except that the end is tucked under…

"Timber Hitch -- Take the end of a of a rope round a spar then round the standing part b, then several times round its own part c, against the lay of the rope." -Britannica, 1910

Timber Hitch

"Timber Hitch -- Take the end of a of a rope round a spar then round the standing part b, then several…

To tie a timber hitch, take the end 'a' of a rope round a spar, then round the standing part 'b', then several times round its own part 'c'.

Timber Hitch

To tie a timber hitch, take the end 'a' of a rope round a spar, then round the standing part 'b', then…

"Turk's Head -- With fine line (very dry) make a clove hitch round the rope; cross the bights twice, passing an end the reverse way (up or down) each time; then keeping the whole spread flat, let each end follow it own part round and round till it is too tight to received any more." -Britannica, 1910

Turk's Head

"Turk's Head -- With fine line (very dry) make a clove hitch round the rope; cross the bights twice,…

An illustration of a Turning in a Dead-Eye Cutter-Stay Fashion knot.

Turning in a Dead-Eye Cutter-Stay Fashion

An illustration of a Turning in a Dead-Eye Cutter-Stay Fashion knot.

An illustration of a Turning in a Dead-Eye End Up knot.

Turning in a Dead-Eye End Up

An illustration of a Turning in a Dead-Eye End Up knot.

"Two Half-Hitches -- The half-hitch repeated; this is commonly used, and is capable of resisting to the full strength of the rope." -Brittanica, 1910

Two Half-Hitches

"Two Half-Hitches -- The half-hitch repeated; this is commonly used, and is capable of resisting to…